Jungle  Reps

Luis Vela  

Founder and Naturalist guide

My name is Luis Vela, but my friends call me Lucho. I was born in Iquitos the largest and most important city of the Peruvian Amazon. Iquitos is known as “the gateway to the Amazon”, therefore my origins are pure Amazonian. While growing up, every summer vacation, I would go visit my grandparents who lived far from the city on the upper Marañón River.

 

There my grandfather taught me the ways of the Amazon Rainforest. We spend our time in dugout canoes and on foot in the forest. He taught me how to spot and identify the animals and flora. He taught me which plants are medical plants and how to use them. I also learned the history and myths of my Amazonian ancestors.

 

After graduating from high school it was obvious what I would do with my life. I would share my knowledge of the Amazon Rainforest with others!

When I was 20 years old I began to work as a Naturalist Guide. My first months were without pay, but this was the beginning of the life I wanted. Soon I began working for larger established tour companies, such as some of the lodges and river cruise companies of the region, giving me valuable experience guiding.

 

As my experience grew, I was assigned to guide distinguished guests and institutions from around the world: US media mogul Ted Turner, actor Harrison Ford, and teams from the Smithsonian Institute, Princeton University, Cornell University, National Geographic and Forbes magazine  to name some.